Trauma-informed approaches to school nutrition are expanding across Vermont this winter, thanks in part to Food Connects Farm to School Coach Sheila Humphreys. Since joining the FC team in 2018, she has built on her expertise in the field and has been a key part of a regional movement to highlight the critical link between trauma and food, particularly in school environments. By emphasizing an increase in professional development opportunities, these trainings enable educators to integrate a trauma- and food-sensitive lens into their lesson plans.

With increased capacity, these trainings will reach a broader audience of educators, impacting students across four school districts in Southern Vermont: Springfield School District, Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, Windham Central Supervisory Union, and Windham Northeast Supervisory Union. 

"I am thrilled to be able to offer this training to more educators around the state. Raising awareness among school staff about food and trauma increases sensitivity to these issues and helps reduce stress experienced by students in our cafeterias and classrooms.” says Farm to School Coach Sheila Humphreys.

Giving students a say in what and how they eat has a powerful impact on their relationship with food and their overall sense of control and agency in their own lives. By establishing judgment-free spaces, students who have complicated relationships with food due to a variety of factors, including food insecurity, food allergies, eating disorders, sensory issues, or cultural differences, can work toward developing a neutral or positive connection to food. Engaging in food-related activities allows students to learn where their food comes from, how they can prepare it themselves, and discover foods that might be culturally unfamiliar, making them more likely to try new foods. By providing students with tools and opportunities to make food choices for themselves we can create change that can impact a student for the rest of their lives.

Stay tuned for Sheila’s reflections following the upcoming trainings across the state. We are excited to witness the positive impact of these transformative practices and the lasting change they will bring to school nutrition and student well-being.